Lingshan Temple (灵山寺), originally named Baozhong Temple and also known as Bao’en Temple or Fenghuang Temple, is a Buddhist holy site with a long history and profound cultural heritage. It was first built during the early Tang Dynasty and covers an area of 18,667.6 square meters, with a total building area of 1,933.3 square meters.
The geographical location of Lingshan Temple is unique. Nestled against Lingshan Mountain and facing the Luo River, it is oriented south to north, unlike most Chinese temples. Legend has it that King Zhou of the Zhou Dynasty was buried here, giving rise to the name “Lingshan” (Spirit Mountain) for both the mountain and the temple. The entire temple complex is built in harmony with the mountain terrain, featuring nearly a hundred halls, pavilions, and towers. Key structures include the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Dabeige Pavilion, Mahavira Hall, and the scripture library, complemented by 22 rooms on each side for monks’ accommodations.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 30 RMB |
| Sightseeing Bus | 20 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.30 (1st May – 31st October) 8.00 – 17.00 (1st November – 30th April) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0379-680866000 |
Location and Transportation
Lingshan Temple is located in Jinping Town, Yiyang County, Luoyang, Henan Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 602, 603, or 612 and get off at Lingshan Temple Stop (灵山寺站).
Highlights of Lingshan Temple
Architectural Style
The architectural style of Lingshan Temple is distinctive, particularly the mountain gate, which resembles a city gate with a single-eave gable roof, standing about 4 meters high and covering an area of approximately 100 square meters. Inscribed on the gate plaque are the three characters “Lingshan Temple,” penned by Zhao Puchu, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Buddhist Association of China. Inside the temple, various Buddha statues showcase unique characteristics, such as the 5-meter-tall statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in the Mahavira Hall, flanked by Medicine Buddha and Amitabha Buddha, with Ananda and Kashyapa standing on both sides, each 2.2 meters tall, exuding dignity and compassion.
Stunning Natural Scenery
In addition to its architecture and Buddha statues, Lingshan Temple boasts stunning natural scenery. Behind the temple, Fenghuang Mountain is covered with verdant cypresses, presenting beautiful peaks and valleys. Beside the temple, Fenghuang Spring flows quietly with clear and sweet water. In front of the temple, the calcified cliffs hang gracefully with numerous caves, while the Lotus Pond in the Lianhua Garden at the foot of the mountain is filled with fragrant lotus blossoms, extending the charm of the ancient temple and providing an excellent environment for both tourists and worshippers.
Cultural Relics
Lingshan Temple is an important cultural relic site. It preserves two original halls from the Jin Dynasty, three precious Ming Dynasty clay sculptures, and over 40 inscriptions from various dynasties, all of which hold high historical and artistic research value. These cultural relics not only witness the long history of Lingshan Temple but also demonstrate the profound heritage of Chinese Buddhist culture.
